Professor Shipman teaches courses, labs, and tutorials in physical chemistry. He is interested in spectroscopy of all types. His current research is in the area of rotational (microwave) spectroscopy, which he uses to study the structure and dynamics of small molecules at room temperature. In addition to revealing fundamental information about small molecules in general, these spectroscopic studies are also intended to aid radio astronomers in their search for complex molecules in interstellar space. As part of his research Professor Shipman also makes extensive use of modern methods in computational chemistry which he also incorporates into his teaching.